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ThesisItem Open Access Economic Feasibilityb of Betelvine as an Intercrops in Rubber Holdings of Mavelikkara Taluk(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture,Vellanikkara, 1993) Vijayakumari, P R; KAU; Nazeem, P AA study has been conducted to analyse the economic feasibility of betelvine as an intercrop in the rubber holding of Mavelikkara taluk . Only five units having betelvine as intercrop could be identified in this area. One hundred other holding 20 each of betelvine as pure crop, plantain as intercrop, plantain as pure crop having covercrop and without any intercrop were also selected for the study . The study revealed that only a small portion of the holding was occupied by the betelvine, when it was treated as an intercrop. The cost of cultivation was found to be very high when compared with other cash crops. This might be the reason for limiting the cultivation to a small portion. This was confirmed by the fact that betelvine as pure crop was also limited in extent. The benefit cost analysis of the above crops revealed that betelvine cultivation was highly profitable with a benefit cost ratio of 2.51 in the intercropped area and was significantly higher than that for plantain which is the other common intercrop. The soil analysis data showed that betelvine absorbed lesser nutrients than plantain . The rubber plants of betelvine intercropped area showed vigorous growth than other intercrops which was due to the regular irrigation and fortnightly application of organic manure to the betelvine. Though the cost of cultivation was very high for betelvine , it could be recommended as an intercrop in the rubber holdings where there is availability of water throughout the year since it ensures substantial weekly income for the grower and his family. Though betelvine could be treated as a perennial crop, the farmers choosing it as an intercrop in rubber holdings will have to sacrifice the same by the fourth year when the rubber canopy closes to the full extent. Hence, we can suggest betelvine as an intercrop in rubber holdings only if land is too scare for its monoculture.ThesisItem Open Access Comparative study of fertilizer recommendations based on soil and leaf analysis vis a vis blanket recommendations of rubber board(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1992) Rajendran, P V; KAU; Nazeem, P AA case study was made to assess the comparison of the dosage of fertilizer recommendation based on soil and leaf analysis vis-à-vis blanket recommendation of the rubber Board. Almost all estates in our country are practicing this method of fertilizer application and systematic data is available only from large estates.. Hence the case study was confined to Estate Sector. From the soil analytical values and economics of fertilizer usage of the nine estates studied, the following observations are made. 1. In general organic carbon status of the soil was found to be medium, though high values were also recorded in some fields. 2. The available phosphorus status of the soil was found to be low in most of the cases. 3. Except in one estate, all the estates were low in available potassium. The observation on the leaf analytical value are as follows: 1. Nitrogen status was in the medium range in most of the cases and only in few cases it is high. 2. Leaf phosphorus was found to be in medium to high range inspite of low available soil phosphorus. 3. Leaf potassium also followed same trend as leaf phosphorus. Economics of fertilizer usage based on soil and leaf analisis revealed the following: Savings in quantity as well as the cost of fertiliser could be made in seven estates. The cost of fertilizer saved per hectare was found to be Rs. 31.23. Eventhough in two estates no savings in quantity as well as in the cost of fertilizer could be made by adopting discriminatory approach, it was possible to maintain the balance among the nutrients in these estates preventing the likely drop of yield.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of ocimum lines for herbage yield oil content and eugenol(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1988) Maya, S Nair; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, GInvestigations on “Evaluation of Ocimum lines for herbage yield, oil content and eugenol” was carried out at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1985-86. Twentyfour Ocimum lines collected from different places from the state and the country along with one strain (Clocimum) released from RRL-Jammu were evaluated adapting simple lattice design with the following objectives. 1) To select better types based on leaf colour aroma and flavour, 2) To study the growth and flushing behaviour of each type and to isolate superior ones having better flushing characters; 3) To select a purple coloured O. sanctum line for the Kerala homesteads; 4) To select eugenol rich strains to undertake large scale cultivation of Ocimum for essential oil production; 5) To explore the possibility of growing Clocimum under Vellanikkara conditions. The crop was raised adopting the standard package of practices recommendations. The main growth parameters studied were plant height, spread, height at first branching, total number of branches per plant, number of days to blooming, intervals of flushing and leaf area. The yield parameters studied were herbage yield per plant, herbage yield per hectare, oil content, oil yield per hectare. An attempt was also made to relate leaf colour and aroma with the eugenol content of different Ocimum lines. The results indicated that the plant height increased with the age of plants. The plant spread and total number of branches per plant were maximum during July-August and afterwards a definite pattern was not observed. Clocimum and O. gratissimum lines branched at lower heights compared to O. sanctum lines. In general, all the lines tested took more time to initial flowering after transplanting, than after first or second harvests. Clocimum and O. gratissimum lines exhibited a tendency for quick flushing but took more days for flowering after each harvest compared to O. sanctum lines. O. gratissimum lines including Clocimum have higher leaf area. The studies on yield parameters revealed that Clocimum was most superior with regard to herbage yield, oil content and eugenol followed by O. gratissimum lines. Clocimum produced a herbage yield of 59.36 tonnes/ha/year. While the highest yielder of O. sanctum produced only 22.93 tonnes/ha/year. The different lines in general, produced maximum herbage and oil yield during second harvest, followed by the third and first harvests, whereas the oil content was maximum during the third harvest followed by the second and first harvests. The percentage of eugenol was maximum in Clocimum (71.82 per cent) followed by a purple coloured O. sanctum line (59.05 per cent) collected from Nellankara, near Trichur. Clocimum produced maximum eugenol per hectare followed by O. gratissimum lines. The scoring on leaf colour and aroma with respect to eugenol content revealed that, green leaved lines had better aroma than purple leaved with one purple coloured line as exception. Here also Clocimum proved its superiority. Economics of cultivation and distillation of different ocimum lines revealed that cultivation of Clocimum is more profitable than all other Ocimum lines evaluated. When we consider the various characters of 25 different Ocimum lines, it is very well clear that Clocimum can be groomed as a commercial crop under Kerala conditions. If there is a preference for purple coloured type of O. sanctum (Krishna Thulsi) the line from Nellankara can be recommended especially for the homesteads. Hence, further investigation to probe the possibilities of growing these promising lines as pure and mixed crops in Kerala and techniques for identifying valuable chemical constituents other than eugenol is suggested.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of spacing and planting material on the growth, yield and active principle in Plumbago rosea L.(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1990) Subha, S; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, GInvestigations on "Effect of spacing and planting material on the growth, yield and active principle in Plumbago rosea L." was conducted at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1987-88, using factorial RBD design for exploiting this valuable medicinal plant with the following objectives: (1). To standardise the size of shoots as planting material for commercial cultivation. (2). To standardise the best spacing for better growth, yield and active principle. (3). To explore the possibility of growing Plumbago rosea L. as a commercial crop. (4). To explore the possibility of grooming this plant as an annual plant.ThesisItem Open Access Flower bud differentiation in piper sp.(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1985) Rajan, P S; KAU; Mohanakumaran, NStudies were undertaken at the College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during 1983-’84 in Panniyur-1 and Karimunda varieties of pepper to collect information on the factors influencing flower bud differentiation and on the histological aspects of the process. Among the climatic factors maximum and minimum temperature during the preceding summer as well as the monsoon showers exhibited significant positive correlation with flower bud differentiation process. Among the nutritional factors studied, carbohydrates and C/N ratio were found to be high prior to the peak differentiation period. However, these failed to show significant statistical correlation. Significant accumulation of nitrogen was found in the shoots prior to differentiation. Phosphorus and potassium contents were not correlated with the process. Inhibitor content of the shoots prior to differentiation was found to negatively influence the process. Peak period of differentiation was observed from the middle of June to the end of July in Panniyur-1, while it was a little advanced in Karimunda (from the beginning of June to the middle of July). There were no fundamental differences in the histological aspects of flower bud differentiation between the two varieties. The bud which was conical during the vegetative phase changed into a dome shaped structure during the transition. Afterwards, this grew into a cylindrical structure on the sides of which bract and flower primordial developed in aeropetal succession. Differentiation and development of ovary wall, integuments, ovules, pollen sacs, pollen grains etc. followed. The whole process of differentiation was completed within about 25 days of its commencement.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of rubber producers societies on rubber plantation industry in Kasargod District(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Jose, M J; KAU; Nazeem, P ARubber Producers Societies were formed among small rubber growers to improve their rubber production, productivity, processing and marketing facilities. The survey was conducted to evaluate the impact of Rubber Producers Society on rubber plantation industry in Kasargod District. 110 Rubber Producers Society members in the district were contacted for this purpose using a structured interview schedule the data were collected from the respondents and analysed by simple statistical producers such as percentage, means and standard deviations. The major findings of the study could be summarised as follows.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of the incidence of pink disease in rubber plantations in Kanjirapally Taluk, Kerala State(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Jain, P M; KAU; Sreekandan Nair, GA survey was conducted to study the intensity of the incidence of pink disease in Rubber Plantations of Kanjirapally Taluk, Kerala State. The clonal susceptibility, percentage of damage, control measures adopted by growers and recovery were also evaluated. Maximum incidence is noticed in RRII 105 and minimum in PB 235. The disease incidence is maximum in the 7th year . Bordeaux paste is the common fungicide used against this disease. But only few growers know the correct method of preparation and application of Bordeaux paste. Careless disposal of infected plant parts provide large inoculum for the spread of the disease. The growers fail to detect the disease sufficiently early to carry out effective control measures. Therefore need for an intensive extension education to create awareness in small growers about the disease and its timely control is evident from this study.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on fertility status of rubber growing soils in Kottayan Taluk(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1991) Parameshwaran Nair, K; KAU; Srikantan Nair, GTo assess the fertility status of the Rubber growing soils of Kottayam Taluk analytical data of five locations in Kottayam Taluk viz, Kooropada, Thiruvanchoor, Meenadam, Kottachira and Amayannur covering 200 small holdings including their case history were studied and the study revealed the following. All the soils tested were lateritic and acidic. Generally organic matter status was medium to high. Phosphorus and pottasium status were very low and Magnesium status medium to high. Tapioca intercropped areas showed depletion of nitrogen status. There was no depreciation of Phosphorus and Pottassium status in intercropped areas. Areas with leguminus ground covers showed better nitrogen status. Response to fertiliser was pronounced in the first four years and response was poor from 5th year onwards. All the small holdings were planted with modern high yielding clones and the trend is to follow Boards recommendation for manuring.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of “long pepper” {Piper longum L.) genotypes for growth, flowering and yield(Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2015) Maheswari R S Nair; KAU; Suma, BLong pepper (Piper longum L.) belonging to the family Piperaceae is one among the 14 medicinal plants which has high demand in indigenous drug industry and is also prioritized for cultivation and development by. National Medicinal Plant Board. Even though long pepper is well adapted for cultivation as an intercrop in coconut, arecanut and rubber plantations of Kerala, its cultivation is limited due to poor returns from the crop on account of high expenditure on harvesting due to staggered flowering and lack of high yielding varieties with high dry recovery. Germplasm collection of long pepper was initiated at the Department of Plantation Crops and Spices and was farther strengthened by^KSCSTE funded project and 60 types were assembled. After an initial evaluation, 42 types were selected including check variety ‘ViswanT for the present study. The present investigations on “Evaluation of “long pepper” (Piper longum L.) genotypes for growth, flowering and yield” was carried out in Department of Plantation Crops and Spices, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during December 2012 to May 2014. The objectives of the study were to catalogue the germplasm accessions of long pepper, to study the flowering behavior fruit set and quality and to identify superior long pepper genotypes with high yield and quality. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design, comprised of 42 treatments and six replications. The accessions studied were collected from Western Ghat regions of Kerala and also entries from NBPGR which includes the collections from different regions of Karnataka and Tirunelveli. Characters studied include six qualitative and eighteen quantitative characters including biochemical attributes. Cataloguing of accessions for qualitative characters using IPGRI descriptor for Piper nigrum revealed wide variation among accessions in growth habit, runner shoot production, leaf shape (base, lamina, margin), spike shape and spike colour. Among the forty two accessions studied, it was noticed that thirty eight accessions were found to be female, three found to be male and one non-flowering type. Maximum inflorescence (more than 55 per cent) was produced during June, July and August and minimum (less than 5 per cent) during December and January. In PL 42, PL 53 and PL 57 flowering was extended during May to October. Coefficient of variation for year round flowering ranged from 7.34 per cent to 46.32 per cent. Among accessions, number of primary branches, spike bearing branches per primary branch and leaves per plant ranged from 1.00 to 8.00, 1.00 to 6.71 and 21.67 to 166.0, respectively. The plant height, petiole length, intemodal length of spike bearing branches and leaf area ranged from 39.67 cm to 88.33cm, 1.11 cm to 7.56 cm, 1.86 cm to 7.38 cm and 25.98 cm2 to 63.87 cm 2, respectively. The days from planting to emergence and emergence to maturity of spike in female types ranged from 77 to 146 days and 60 to 80 days whereas, male accessions took 135-141 days and 61-64 days, respectively. Number of spikes/spike bearing branch ranged from 1.00 to 3.21 and coefficient of variation observed were 54.81%. Spike length and girth varied from 0.90 cm to 3.10 cm and 3.75 mm to 8.86 mm in female accessions and male accessions from 8.10 cm to 8.18 cm, and 4mm to 4.03 mm respectively. Coefficient of variation for spike length and girth were 7.87 per cent and 6.83 per cent, respectively. Fresh weight per spike recorded highest in PL8 (1.06 g) and dry weight per spike recorded maximum in PL 12(0.20 g). Fresh and dry yield per plant was recorded highest in PL8 which was on par with PL9 along with check variety Viswam. Coefficient of variation observed for fresh and dry yield per plant as 122.45 per cent and 120.44 per cent, respectively. Spike set percent was shown maximum by PL 8 (97.42 per cent) and driage by PL 49 (20.66 per cent). Based on yield parameters, PL 5, PL 8, PL 9, PL 15, PL 23, PL 24 and PL 25 along with check variety were selected as superior accessions. For volatile oil,oleoresin and piperine content, accessions PL 5, PL 8, PL 12 and PL 50 were promising. Cluster analysis among 42 accessions based on qualitative characters and 20 accessions based on quantitative characters were done by using Multivariate Hierrarchial Cluster Analysis using NTSYS software. The dendrogram derived through qualitative characteristics showed degree of similarity varying from 26 to 100 and at 81 per cent similarity long pepper accessions were grouped into seven clusters. Based on quantitative data, the accessions showed only 14 per cent similarity. Since the accessions showed wide variability it can be utilized in future breeding programmes.
